Browse Category: Womens Health

If you are a pregnant woman, you will probably hear a lot about your pelvic floor and the importance of keeping it strong, which is absolutely true. In fact, it’s not only relevant when you’re pregnant, it’s just affected by a baby growing inside you, which is understandable. The pelvic floor refers to the muscles inside your lower body which surround your reproductive system, as well as the bladder. It’s able to contract and relax which is important for controlling when you go to the bathroom, among other things. Exercises and stretches can help to ensure it isn’t weakened by pregnancy, but there is more to the story. Unfortunately there are lots of myths out there, so here are a few things you might have been told incorrectly.

Holding it in counts as an exercise

Trying to hold your bladder when you need to go to the bathroom puts pressure on your pelvic muscles, but it’s not a beneficial exercise. It confuses your muscles and doesn’t have a positive effect on strengthening them, so it’s best to avoid doing this entirely. The opposite is also a common myth – you can’t weaken your pelvic floor by holding it in either. If you’re concerned about controlling the urge to go to the toilet as your baby grows and squeezes your bladder, focus on proper pelvic exercises to maintain the balance. Continue Reading